Rifled launching tube

ABSTRACT

A launching tube for rockets and other projectiles, preferably with a hinged tail unit, including means for imparting a rotational motion to the rocket or projectile as it travels through the tube, which means for imparting rotation are provided in the form of helical grooves adapted to receive mating projections provided on the exterior surface of the rocket or projectile, and further including additional, substantially longitudinally-extending corrugations for imparting rigidity to the launching tube, thus facilitating the construction of the tube from relatively light-weight materials and in the form of relatively thin-walled tubes formed by drawing or extrusion processes. The present invention further contemplates a novel method for producing the rifled launching tube disclosed herein.

Unite States atent Wittholz [54] RIFLE!) LAUNCHHNG TUBE [72] Inventor: Helge Wittholz, Oyle, Gennany Rosenthal 89/1.816 Swindle ..42/78 Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle AttorneyCraig, Antonelli and Hill [57] ABSTRACT A launching tube for rockets and other projectiles, preferably with a hinged tail unit, including means for imparting a rota tional motion to the rocket or projectile as it travels through the tube, which means for imparting rotation are provided in the form of helical grooves adapted to receive mating projeo tions provided on the exterior surface of the rocket or projectile, and further including additional, substantially longitudinally-extending corrugations for imparting rigidity to the launching tube, thus facilitating the construction of the tube from relatively light-weight materials and in the form of relatively thin-walled tubes formed by drawing or extrusion processes. The present invention further contemplates a novel method for producing the rifled launching tube disclosed herein.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJuL 4 m2 INVENTOR HELGE WITTHOLZ M wk W ATTORNEYS RIFLED LAUNCHING TUBE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to the construction of launching tubes for rockets or other projectiles, preferably of the type having a hinged tail unit.

conventionally, launching tubes for rockets and projectiles of the above-mentioned type, also called projector tubes, are provided with internal grooves extending longitudinally in a helical configuration. These helical grooves function to guide the rockets and projectiles and impart a rotational motion thereto by engaging with projections such as spikes or pins provided on the exterior surface of the projectile.

Launching or projector tubes of this sort have conventionally been manufactured by means of a machining process which is relatively expensive and which does not sufficiently preclude the production of inaccurate or defective parts. Additionally, the machining step involved requires that the launching tube be constructed of a relatively large wall thickness, thus resulting in an excessively heavy finished article. Since these launching tubes are generally combined or grouped in racks, the overall weight of the assembled groups of launching tubes is particularly excessive, creating severe problems in handling the racks of launching tubes, particularly when the receiving rackis intended to be transportable, for example, when the racks are intended to be mounted upon mobile vehicles.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a launching tube constructed to include means for imparting rotation to the rocket or projectile to be fired therefrom, which launching tube is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a launching tube of the type described above which can be manufactured with a relatively thin wall, thus resulting in a substantial reduction of the weight of the finished part.

Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a launching tube of the type described above incorporating the requisite stability although constructed from a relatively light-weight material.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a launching tube of the type described above which can be constructed in the form of a relatively thin-walled member having a constant wall thickness over the length thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by constructing a launching tube in the form of a relatively thin-walled pipe having a constant wall thickness and providing, in addition to the helical grooves adapted to receive the projections of the rocket, with additional corrugations or crimping extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tube.

In this manner, a launching tube suitable for the intended pur ose can be manufactured by means of a shaping process, thus eliminating the costly machining or cutting process and realizing a commensurate reduction in cost of material and labor. The provision of the additional corrugations affords a sufficient inherent stability or strength to the launching tube despite the fact that it is constructed from relatively lightweight materials and has a relatively thin wall section. The launching tube constructed in accordance with the present invention is further advantageous in that it can be manufactured with greater certainty of the accuracy of the finished article than the conventional launching tube with the machined grooves. Further, since the launching tube contemplated by the present invention involves considerable reduction in the overall weight of the finished article, a greater number of tubes may be combined for utilization on a mobile vehicle.

The launching tube in accordance with the present invention can be constructed in various ways. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the thin-walled tube can correspond to the diameter of the rocket or projectile to be fired therefrom. In this case, the grooves and corrugations, as viewed in cross-section, are provided as projections extending radially outwardly from the major diameter of the tube. In another embodiment, the diameter of the thin-walled tube can exceed that of the diameter of the projectile to be fired therefrom. In this case, the marginal zones of the tube wall which form the grooves, and the corrugations, can be provided in the form of projections extending inwardly from the major diameter of the tube up to a surface representing the diameter of the projectile.

The thin-walled tube contemplated by the present invention can be produced by drawing or extrusion or like processes. In order to obtain the desired rifling in connection with the grooves and corrugations, the tube profile on the drawing die and on the extrusion die should be provided with an inclined orientation. Accordingly, the drawing die and the extrusion die are rotatably mounted. During the drawing step, the tool can thus threadedly insert itself into the non-corrugated tube. The tube is thus provided with rifling simultaneously with the drawing step. It is also possible to draw the tube longitudinally with the cross-sectional configuration resulting from the grooves and corrugations and to subsequently impart the rifling to the tube. This mode of operation would advantageously be employed in connection with tubes manufactured by an extrusion process. In the manufacture of an extruded tube, for example of a light metal, the tube can be provided with an accumulation of material for forming the grooves in the region where the grooves are to be formed. In all cases, however, the wall thickness of the launching tube contemplated by the present invention is thinner by the depth of the grooves, than the wall thickness of the launching tubes in use heretofore.

The launching tube constructed in accordance with the present invention can be produced from any suitable material, such as steel, but may also be from a relatively light metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the launching tube constructed in accordance with the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the detailed description hereinbelow, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a launching tube constructed according to the present invention; I

FIG. 2 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. I;

FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the launching tube according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a launching tube, preferably manufactured by an extrusion process, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an extruded tube constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 represents a lateral view of the launching tube according to FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube 1 is preferably constructed as a drawn tube, for example of steel, such that the tube includes two longitudinally extending grooves 2 which are engaged by the calibrated projections 3 of the rocket 4, and two additional corrugations 5. The diameter of the launching tube 1 conforms substantially to the diameter of the rocket or projectile 4. The grooves 2 and the corrugations 5, in this embodiment, are formed as radially outwardly extending projections. The grooves and corrugations are oriented in a slightly spiral or helical manner. The wall thickness of the tube 1 is constant over the entire circumference thereof.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tube 6 is constructed with a diameter exceeding the caliber of the rocket or projectile 4. Marginal zones or regions 20 which fonn the grooves 2, as well as the corrugations 7, are provided such that they extend radially inward to the extent that the rocket 4 is guided by zones 2a and corrugations 7. In this embodiment also, the launching tube has a constant wall thickness when view in cross-section. The grooves and corrugations extend in a slightly spiral or helical manner.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 substantially corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the tube 8 is preferably constructed by extrusion. The corrugations 5 project radially outwardly. In order to form the grooves 2 for guiding the projections 3 of the rocket 4, the tube is provided with an accumulation of material 9 in the region wherein the grooves 2 are to be formed. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, corresponding substantially to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, the tube 10 has a diameter exceeding that of the rocket 4. Cor respondingly, the corrugations 7 project radially inwardly. Additionally, the accumulation of material 11 for the formation of the grooves 2 is provided on the internal surface of the tube 10 such that the racket or projectile is guided only in the region of the guiding grooves 2 and the corrugations 7.

While the present invention has been described with reference to but a few embodiments, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific details of these few embodiments, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as would be apparent to one with normal skill in the pertinent technology.

What is claimed is:

1. A launching tube for rockets or other projectiles of the type having projections extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof; said launching tube comprising helical groove means formed on the internal surface of said tube for imparting rotational motion to rockets passing through said tube, said groove means being positioned and dimensioned for engagement with the projections on said rockets, said launching tube having a relatively thin wall of substantially uniform thickness, and additional reinforcing means in the form of corrugations fomted in the wall of said tube and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of said tube.

2. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein the internal diameter of said tube is less than the maximum diametric extent of the projections on the rocket, wherein said groove means project outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube for accepu'ng said projections, and wherein said corrugations project radially outwardly from the outer surface of said tube.

3. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein the internal diameter of said tube exceeds that of the rockets to be fired therefrom, the region of said tube provided with said internal groove means and said corrugations projecting radially inwardly with respect to the internal surface of the tube for guiding the rockets.

4. A launching tube according to claim 3, wherein the tube thickness is such that the external surface of said tube exhibits indentations in the regions where said grooves and corrugations are formed.

5. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein said launching tube wall is thinner than the depth of the grooves formed therein.

6. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein the launching tube wall is thinner than the depth of the reinforcing corrugations formed therein.

7. A launching tube according to claim 6, wherein said corrugations are helically wound in the wall of said tube.

8. A launching tube according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of corrugations are symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of said launching tube.

9. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein said relatively thin wall of said tube has accumulations of material provided in the regions thereof where the internal groove means are provided for facilitating production of the tube by means of extrusion.

10. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein said tube is constructed from a relatively light-weight metal. 

1. A launching tube for rockets or other projectiles of the type having projections extending radially outwardly from the periphery thereof; said launching tube comprising helical groove means formed on the internal surface of said tube for imparting rotational motion to rockets passing through said tube, said groove means being positioned and dimensioned for engagement with the projections on said rockets, said launching tube having a relatively thin wall of substantially uniform thickness, and additional reinforcing means in the form of corrugations formed in the wall of said tube and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of said tube.
 2. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein the internal diameter of said tube is less than the maximum diametric extent of the projections on the rocket, wherein said groove means project outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube for accepting said projections, and wherein said corrugations project radially outwardly from the outer surface of said tube.
 3. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein the internal diameter of said tube exceeds that of the rockets to be fired therefrom, the region of said tube provided with said internal groove means and said corrugations projecting radially inwardly with respect to the internal surface of the tube for guiding the rockets.
 4. A launching tube according to claim 3, wherein the tube thickness is such that the external surface of said tube exhibits indentations in the regions where said grooves and corrugations are formed.
 5. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein said launching tube wall is thinner than the depth of the grooves formed therein.
 6. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein the launching tube wall is thinner than the depth of the reinforcing corrugations formed therein.
 7. A launching tube according to claim 6, wherein said corrugations are helically wound in the wall of said tube.
 8. A launching tube according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of corrugations are symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of said launching tube.
 9. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein said relatively thin wall of said tube has accumulations of material provided in the regions thereof where the internal groove means are provided for facilitating production of the tube by means of extrusion.
 10. A launching tube according to claim 1, wherein said tube is constructed from a relatively light-weight metal. 